Revelation 20:2

Translations

Modern

He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

Traditional

And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

Literal

And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years.

Latin

Et apprehendit draconem, serpentem antiquum, qui est diabolus, et Satanas, et ligavit eum per annos mille:

Original

Greek

English

He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years.

Notes

Revelation 20:1–2

Like the Old Testament angel of the LORD (see Genesis 16:7–11; 22:15; Exodus 3:2; Numbers 22:22–34; Judges 2:1–4; 6:11–22), the angel coming down from heaven has God's authority. This is symbolized by the key that controls the bottomless pit and the power to chain God's great enemy (see Revelation 12:7–9) for a thousand years.

See the "The Thousand Years (The Millennium)" Theme Note.

Revelation 20:1–10

This passage has three parts:

the binding of Satan (Revelation 20:1–3),
the reign of God’s holy people (Revelation 20:4–6), and
Satan's release for a final battle attempt (Revelation 20:7–10).

Four themes emerge:

Satan's war is pointless—he cannot resist even an angel;
God’s holy people will be justified and honored;
God will achieve the final victory; and
even when sinful people experience Christ’s good purposes, they still follow Satan when he gains some freedom to act.

Revelation 19:11–20:15

The drama reaches its peak: God's enemies face defeat and punishment in two episodes (Revelation 19:11–21; 20:7–10). Meanwhile, the faithful enjoy a 1,000-year resurrection (Revelation 20:1–6) followed by the final judgment (20:11–15).

Theme notes and profiles

Adam and Eve Satan God as Holy Warrior God or Satan? God’s Promised Kingdom Jesus and Satan Resurrection in the Old Testament Symbolic Numbers The Day of the Lord The Thousand Years (The Millennium) Visions

Related verses

2 Peter 2:4
For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;
Revelation 12:9
And the great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
Jude 1:6
And the angels who did not stay within their own domain but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in eternal chains under darkness, bound for judgment on that great day.
John 12:31
Now judgment is upon this world; now the prince of this world will be cast out.
Isaiah 27:1
In that day the LORD will take His sharp, great, and mighty sword, and bring judgment on Leviathan the fleeing serpent—Leviathan the coiling serpent—and He will slay the dragon of the sea.
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Hebrews 2:14
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,
Job 2:1–2
On another day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before Him.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
John 16:11
…and in regard to judgment, because the prince of this world has been condemned.
Revelation 12:15
Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent.

People

Satan: The adversary, the devil, the tempter of humanity

Glossary

Amillennialism Book of Revelation Bottomless Pit Dragon Eschatology Hades Kingdom of God, Kingdom of Heaven Lucifer Magog Millennium Place of the Dead Serpent Snake

Topics

Dragon: A Term Applied: To Satan Jesus, the Christ: Prophecies Concerning Universality of the Kingdom of Millennium: General Scriptures Concerning Satan: That Old Serpent Satan: The Devil Satan: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Satan's Fall Serpents: of the Devil The Devil: Compared to a Serpent The Dragon of the Devil The Serpent Titles and Names of the Devil: Dragon Titles and Names of the Devil: Old Serpent Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: Satan Bound for One-Thousand Years Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Thrones of Judgment Year: Satan to be Bound for a Thousand

Revelation 20:2

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